Propulsion and manoeuvrability trials completed for Fortescue Green Pioneer

Fortescue (ASX: FMG) has successfully completed propulsion and manoeuvrability trials of the Fortescue Green Pioneer in the Port of Singapore.

The trials were undertaken over a 10-day period using 6.4m³ of liquid ammonia, in combination with diesel and hydrogenated vegetable oil (HVO), a second-generation biofuel, as marine fuel.

The vessel was loaded on April 23, 2024, at Vopak Banyan Terminal, Jurong Island while the vessel was at anchor.

The Fortescue Green Pioneer was subject to testing of the ammonia storage systems, associated piping, gas fuel delivery system, retrofitted engines and seaworthiness.

The propulsion and manoeuvrability trials also included tests to validate the management of nitrogen-based emissions and the assessment of the ship’s engine capacity to operate on varying amounts of HVO in combination with ammonia.

A designated test area along Raffles Reserved Anchorage was secured by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) for the trials and the Emergency Operations Centre was set up to monitor the fuel loading and sea trial operations.

Additionally, ammonia plume modelling and drone surveillance was also used to support safety and incident planning and response.

This milestone follows the world’s first use of ammonia, in combination with diesel, onboard the Fortescue Green Pioneer in March 2024.

Following this, the vessel received flag approval from the Singapore Registry of Ships (SRS) and the ‘Gas Fuelled Ammonia’ notation by classification society DNV to use ammonia, in combination with diesel, as a marine fuel.

To strengthen maritime cybersecurity, MPA is in discussions with Fortescue regarding the monitoring of info-comm technology and operational technology systems onboard the Fortescue Green Pioneer to develop resilience of vessels with alternative fuels against cyber threats.